Senator Eric S. Schmitt was born and raised in St. Louis County. He graduated from DeSmet Jesuit High School, and went on to receive his B.A. cum laude from Truman State University. While at Truman, Sen. Schmitt was a two sport athlete (baseball, football), and founded a Habitat for Humanity Chapter on campus. He earned a scholarship to attend law school at Saint Louis University where he received his J.D., was an Editor of the Law Review, and a published author.

In addition to his legislative duties, Sen. Schmitt is also a partner at the law firm of Lathrop & Gage, LLP. Sen. Schmitt has served on Boards for DeSmet Jesuit High School, Nurses for Newborns Foundation, St. Louis Crisis Nursery, and Kirkwood Parents as Teachers Program. Sen. Schmitt served as chairman of the Young Lawyer Section Council of the Missouri Bar and spearheaded a statewide Giving Tree effort benefiting Big Brothers-Big Sisters and created a Special Needs Advocacy Task Force. He has also been involved with the TS (Tuberous Sclerosis) Alliance, the Gateway Chapter of the Autism Society, Habitat for Humanity and local Chambers of Commerce.

Sen. Schmitt served as a Glendale, Missouri Alderman from 2005-08 and was elected to the Missouri Senate in 2008 and again in 2012 to represent the 15th District in St. Louis County, that includes all or parts of Ballwin, Chesterfield, Clarkson Valley, Des Peres, Ellisville, Fenton, Glendale, Kirkwood, Manchester, Sunset Hills, Twin Oaks, Valley Park, Wildwood, and Winchester.

Sen. Schmitt's legislative priorities include growing our economy with quality jobs; making health care more available, affordable, and portable; and keeping a watchful eye on the issue of property taxes. He is also committed to quality educational opportunities for all Missourians and serving as an advocate for children and adults with special needs and their families.

Sen. Schmitt serves in Senate Leadership as Majority Caucus Chairman and is Chairman of the Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government Committee. He also serves on the Gubernatorial Appointments Committee; the Judicial, Civil, and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee; the Veterans Affairs and Health Committee; and the Ways and Means Committee; in addition, Sen. Schmitt is Chairman of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.

Sen. Eric Schmitt is a lifelong resident of St. Louis County. He lives in Glendale with his wife, Jaime, and their three children, Stephen, Sophia and Olivia.

During his time in office, Sen. Schmitt has been honored to receive the following recognitions:

• The Missouri Bar's Tom Cochran Community Service Award, 2012
St. Louis Business Journal's 40 Under 40 Class, 2010
• St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association's Lewis and Clark Statesman Award, 2009-2012
• St. Louis Regional Chamber Champion Award, 2013
• Judicial Conference of Missouri Award, 2010, 2012
• Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Spirit of Enterprise Award, 2011
• Missouri Homebuilders Association of St. Louis and Eastern Missouri's Legislative Award, 2010, 2012
• St. Louis County Bar Association's Roy F. Essen Memorial Award for Outstanding Young Lawyer, 2011
• Associated Industries of Missouri's Friend of Manufacturing & Industry Award, 2010, 2011
• Missouri Association of County Developmental Disabilities Services President's Award, 2010
St. Louis Business Journal's Legislative Award, 2010-2012
• Thompson Foundation for Autism's Appreciation Award, 2010
• Associated Industries of Missouri's Good for Business Award, 2011
• Touchpoint Autism Services’ Social Impact Award, 2012
• Greater Missouri Chapter of the March of Dimes' Champion for Babies Award, 2011
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Committee Statesperson Award, 2010
• Missouri Physical Therapy Association Friend of Chapter Award, 2013
• Missouri Community College Association's Distinguished Legislator Award, 2011
• Fair Energy Rate Action Fund's Friend of Ratepayer Award, 2012
• Missouri Association of Social Welfare Award of Appreciation, 2013
• Missouri Economic Development Financing Association's Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award, 2011
• Missouri Association of School Board Administrators' Friend of Education Award, 2013
• Missouri Foundation of the Grand Order Pachyderms Legislator of the Year Award, 2013
• St. Louis Children's Hospital State Advocate of the Year Award, 2013